Caliper upgrade for Saxo VTR - standard discs

1. user_38238 Infrequent Poster Joined: Oct 2009 Gillingham or Coventry Posts: 188 Mk2 VTR Suzuki Bandit 600 Alfa Romeo 156 2.4 JTD

   #1 20th May 2011, 22:01

   Today I bled the brakes on my MK2 VTR, as they had been feeling very spongy and thought that this was the best course of action to try and fix the problem. After bleeding them I noticed very little difference and was wonderig if upgrading to larger calipers may be a good idea (and a good project)
   
   I am looking to upgrade the calipers (and pads) to the standard ones from a larger car, but don't want to change the discs aswell as they are in good condition.
   
   I had heard that 306 GTI calipers bolted straight on but required some kind of spacers, but was wondering what would be the easiest upgrade to do. I'm not really fussed about upgrading them to be 'track worthy' (i.e. 406 brembo's etc) but just suitable for fast road use. I am also running on standard VTR wheels.
   
   Cheers.

   1 user thanked this post: user_66711
2. user_16254 Established Member Joined: Jun 2007 Belfast Posts: 1001 red 1.0 wonder

   #2 20th May 2011, 22:12

   no spacers required for the 306 gti6 ones mate, bolt straight on

   1 user thanked this post: logic_guy
3. user_36198 Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Aug 2009 ilkeston derbyshire Posts: 9823 C2 VTR stripped, 406hdi, clio 172

   #3 20th May 2011, 22:14

   if you want to run bigger calipers, then you are going to have to run bigger discs. Got 266mm and 283mm set ups for sale here, neither require any mods to fit a Vtr
4. MJ05LLY Established Member Joined: Jan 2008 Doncaster Posts: 1616 Audi TTS

   #4 20th May 2011, 22:15

   266mm brakes are biggest you can fit under 14s
   
   Gti6 ones are bigger so wont fit under your wheels bud
5. user_36198 Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Aug 2009 ilkeston derbyshire Posts: 9823 C2 VTR stripped, 406hdi, clio 172

   #5 20th May 2011, 22:16

   ^+1, you'll need larger wheels for 283s
6. DanielT92 Established Member Joined: Feb 2010 Posts: 1092

   #6 20th May 2011, 22:29

   Quote:

   Originally Posted by mandyslover70 ^+1, you'll need larger wheels for 283s

   And considerably heavier than 266's I read? So on a VTR, you would notice a slight difference in acceleration?
7. user_36198 Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Aug 2009 ilkeston derbyshire Posts: 9823 C2 VTR stripped, 406hdi, clio 172

   #7 20th May 2011, 22:41

   very much heavier lol, not much need for an up-grade on a VTR, properly set up 247s with quality pads etc are fine for fast road use.
8. user_36198 Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Aug 2009 ilkeston derbyshire Posts: 9823 C2 VTR stripped, 406hdi, clio 172

   #8 20th May 2011, 22:42

   if the OP is unhappy with his standard brakes, try adjusting the brake linkage bar behind the inlet manifold as a little free play here can make the brakes feel spongy and unresponsive as well
9. chinkostu Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Aug 2008 The wrong carpark Posts: 5152 Xantia 1.9TD

   #9 20th May 2011, 23:37

   Quote:

   Originally Posted by mandyslover70 very much heavier lol, not much need for an up-grade on a VTR, properly set up 247s with quality pads etc are fine for fast road use.

   +1, the pads i had before were lethal, stopped on a dime. Had to get cheap budgets though as i wore them low and was strapped
10. user_15516 Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Apr 2007 Posts: 6640 Integra DC5R & VTS

    #10 20th May 2011, 23:59

    I'd fit some EBC yellowstuff pads and adjust the brake bar on the bulkhead.

    1 user thanked this post: logic_guy
11. user_38238 Infrequent Poster Joined: Oct 2009 Gillingham or Coventry Posts: 188 Mk2 VTR Suzuki Bandit 600 Alfa Romeo 156 2.4 JTD

    #11 21st May 2011, 00:19

    Cheers guys, I'll definately look into the brake linkage bar first. Is that an easy job?
    
    Also how much would 266mm discs and calipers for the front set me back?
12. blackie_2k5 Saxperience Hardcore! Joined: Oct 2008 Birtley Posts: 22253 VTR Turbo, 106 xsi track slag, Transit recovery, B

    #12 21st May 2011, 00:36

    easily iunder £100
    
    ive got brembos, dont know what id do without them now tbh
13. user_15516 Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Apr 2007 Posts: 6640 Integra DC5R & VTS

    #13 21st May 2011, 00:42

    Adjusting the brake bar is dead easy mate - see here. Definitely give it a go before you start upgrading parts.

    1 user thanked this post: logic_guy
14. user_38238 Infrequent Poster Joined: Oct 2009 Gillingham or Coventry Posts: 188 Mk2 VTR Suzuki Bandit 600 Alfa Romeo 156 2.4 JTD

    #14 6th July 2011, 12:54

    I looked at the brake bar, and there seems to be no play in it atm. I am thinking that I may just try and change the pads, but which ones would be best? (Do Mintex's fit alright). Also was considering a set of braided brake hoses as I can get them for around £20
    
    Opinions welcome ...
15. Mikol Established Member Joined: Jun 2008 Somewhere between Bedford and Brixworth Posts: 2373 106 XS 16v Driveway Ornament

    #15 6th July 2011, 20:16

    You can change the calipers for the newer Pug/Cit ones and stay on 247mm discs.
    
    But don't. There's no benefit to be had except looking a little better than standard and whatever you get from a bleed and fresh fluid.
    
    I really rated mintex pads when I was running VT* brakes. Used them on the two sets of brakes I've been through since and still yet to be disappointed.
16. user_38238 Infrequent Poster Joined: Oct 2009 Gillingham or Coventry Posts: 188 Mk2 VTR Suzuki Bandit 600 Alfa Romeo 156 2.4 JTD

    #16 18th July 2011, 16:38

    Ok thanks. Are the mintex pads a straight swap in the standard calipers then?
17. Mikol Established Member Joined: Jun 2008 Somewhere between Bedford and Brixworth Posts: 2373 106 XS 16v Driveway Ornament

    #17 18th July 2011, 18:19

    Yeah they make them in Saxo (and pretty much every) fitment.
    
    They're good for the road, but they will fade if you're planning on becoming a track demon.
18. logic_guy Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Nov 2010 England Posts: 3423

    #18 18th July 2011, 19:52

    Green stuff seem very good too. If you are going around the country lanes with this stuff (Harsh breaking), expect to get break pedal fade, before break fade. Quite scary approaching a STOP junction at 80 and hardly slowing down.
    
    The Green stuff need warming up tbh. You need to approach a junction and slowly apply the breaks to warm the pads up. From there on, they seem nice and sharp.
    
    On another hand, i've herd bad reviews about this pads not lasting more then 1 tack day (Although not designed for track) and the actually friction compound breaks away from the backing of the pad.
    
    Mintex are supposed to be good. Don't buy cheap £5 pads though :@